Canola oil cuts belly fat

Canola oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which have been shown to have beneficial effects on body composition, especially in people with obesity. When participants consumed conventional canola oil or high-oleic acid canola oil for just four weeks, they lost abdominal fat, report researchers.

Abdominal obesity or increased waist circumference increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and is also associated with increased risk for conditions such as metabolic syndrome-- a group of conditions including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low HDL (also known as good cholesterol) and excess body fat around the waist.

As a general rule one cannot target weight loss to specific body regions, but monounsaturated fatty acids present in canola oil seem to specifically target abdominal fat. Researchers also found that the weight lost from the mid-section due to use of canola oil did not redistribute elsewhere in the body.

In order to incorporate canola oil into the diet, researchers suggest using it when sautéing foods, in baking, adding it to a smoothie and in salad dressings.